Folding card-table



(No Model.)

A. A. GRIFFIN. FOLDING CARD TABLE. No. 498,925,. Patenteq Mar. 21, 1893.

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ALBERT A. GRIFFIN, OF ROSCOMMON, MICHIGAN.

FOLDING CARD-TABLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 493,925, dated March21, 1893.

I Application filed April 25, 1892. Serial No. 430,557. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALBERT A. GRIFFIN, a citizen of the United States,residing at Rosconnmon, in the county of Roscommon and State ofMichigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in FoldingCard- Tables, of which the following is a specification, reference beinghad therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in folding cardtables and the invention consists in the peculiar construe tion of anumbrella like frame having a fabric secured thereto adapted to beextended to form a table top in combination with a detachable handle orstandard whereby when not in use the table may be folded into the mostcompact shape, and the invention further consists in the peculiararrangement, combination and construction of the various parts as morefully hereinafter described.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical, cen tral longitudinal sectionthrough my improved table extended ready for use. Fig. 2 is a similarsection showing the parts in a different position. Fig. 3 is a similarsection showing the standard detached and the table folded for packing.Fig. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the upper end of the standardand the head, showing the means of detachably engaging the partstogether. Fig. 5 is a vertical section showing a modified form ofconstruction.

The table frame consists of the head A having ears B to which arepivoted radially extending arms G. The head is provided on its lowerside with the socket D. To the under side of each arm are pivoted bracesE connected at their inner ends to the ears F upon the ferrule G.

H is a standard having suitable means at the top to detachably engagewith the socket D of the head A. The means I have shown consist of a pinI adapted to engagein the L- shaped slot J in the socket. At its lowerend the standard is provided with a spring pawl K having a series ofnotches L adapted to engage with the bar M formed on the ferrule G.

The table shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 is especially designed for cardplaying for use in cars &c., i. e. a portable table. To the ends of theradial arms 0 is secured a flexible fabric N forming the top of thetable. The parts being thus constructed, when it is desired to use thetable the standard is inserted through the ferrule G and engaged andlocked into the socket D of the head A; the operator then holding theferrule G presses the headAoutward from the position shown in Fig. 3 tothat shown in Fig. 1, engaging the bar M of the ferrule in one of thenotches of the spring pawl K tightening and extending the fabric into aflat top so that it will form a suitable table upon which to play cardsand for other uses. The standard is short so that the table may rest onthe knees of the player and the standard and braces form little or noobstruction.

When the table is first made it is constructed so that the fabric willbe stretched tight when the bar M engages in the first notch of thespring pawl, but in use the fabric will stretch and as it stretches thehandle may be pushed up farther to keep the cloth tight n11- til itreaches the last notch and the arms are in horizontal plane, asshown inFig. 2. It will thus be seen that in its initial position the armassumes a slightly angular position to the fabric.

To pack the table the operator turns the handle and disengages it fromthe L-shaped slot J in the socket D and disengages the spring pawl fromthe bar M in the ferrule G, withdraws the handle and folds the arms,compressing them in parallel relation, as shown in Fig. 3 and can theninsert the standard Within the arms, winding the fabric around andforming a compact package of the entire device.

If desired the standard may be extended and any detachable orcollapsible foot may be secured thereto for use in club rooms &c. I haveshown a foot brace comprising a series of radial arms 0 connected to thehead P, braces Q connected to a ferrule R and the spring catch T on thestandard.

What I claim as my invention is- 1. In a folding table, the combinationwith a socketed head, of radial arms pivoted to the head, a fabricsecuredto the outer ends of the arms, a ferrule in line with the socket,

braces connecting the arms at or about their braces connecting thecenter of the arms with centers with the ferrule, a standardremovtheferrule, the spring pawl in the standard ably secured in the socket andpassing having a series of notches, and a bar on the through theferrule, a spring pa'wl in the standard having'a series of notchestherein 1 and a stop on the ferrule arranged to engage the notches,substantially as described. I 2. In a folding table, the combination ofthe socketed head, having the L shaped slot therein, the radial armspivoted in the head, the fabric secured to the outer ends only of thearms, the ferrule in line with the socket, the

ferrule, adapted to engage in said notches, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

